Choking Incident Leads To Suspensions Of 3 Seniors

PLYMOUTH, Minn. (WCCO) — This is supposed to be a pretty promising year for the Armstrong High School boys hockey team. It is a squad laden with upperclassmen leading the way on the ice.

“They’re all really good players on the team, it’s their senior year,” said classmate Blake Rosenzweig.

But suddenly, Rosenzweig and his fellow Armstrong classmates are worried — not only about the team, but also concerned for three friends. Three senior hockey players may have ended their season before it even began.

One of them, an 18-year-old student, spend his weekend in the Hennepin County Jail. The two other juveniles were handcuffed and led away to the county’s juvenile detention facility. All three are suspended from school for at least 45 days and are accused of playing another kind of “game.”

“You see it on TV, UFC wrestling, you gotta choke them until they tap out,” said classmate Robbie Stokka.

Stokka is talking about an Oct. 6 incident in school where the three boys were horsing around with another student and choked their friend until he lost consciousness. They say they weren’t doing it to feel high — commonly known as “the choking game.”

Still, the practice is both deadly and dangerous, and the Robbinsdale District is pursuing the highest level of punishment against the three students involved.

“That’s what doesn’t add up. It’s a level four, right up there with rape, arson, robbery and intent to hurt him, when he’s our friend,” Stokka said.

He said the three involved in the incident weren’t intending to be malicious or hurtful in any way. Nevertheless, the fellow student briefly passed out from the choke hold and was later transferred to a local hospital to be checked out. The three students were suspended from school, initially for 10 days, which was later changed to a 45-day suspension.

Meanwhile, the case was turned over to police who are investigating for possible assault charges. In the midst of Homecoming activities last Friday, the three were arrested and taken into custody.

The adult student was booked into the Hennepin County jail, where he was bailed out this past weekend. The other two boys were taken to the county’s Juvenile Detention Facility and released to their parent’s custody. The county attorney is reviewing the case for possible criminal charges.

That’s setting off hallway protests within Armstrong High School. Several hundred students gathered last week, angered by the apparent heavy handedness of the district and school administrators.

Beyond their 45-day suspensions and likely dismissal from the hockey team, the three will now carry criminal histories. That’s the long-term effect from the incident that has parents, like Pati Rosensweig, outraged.

While Rosenzweig admits the actions of the boys was “stupid” and the game has no place with teens, she is angry at school administrators for using the boys as a way to send a message to others.

Rosenzweig said the district’s own Rights and Responsibilities Handbook spells out four distinct levels of student misconduct. She believes what they did does not rise to “level 4,” which includes such crimes as, rape, arson, sexual misconduct or bringing weapons to school.

“Their own rules set by them as to what the proper punishment should be. Jail, police? Way overboard,” she said.

this is NOT a game! if you ask a parent of a child who has died from this sick
“game,” i believe they would rather have a police record than a death certificate to deal with. No, the punishment does fit the crime, attempted murder would be the best charge here.

They were not trying to kill one another so attempted murder would not work. Nice try though! They should be suspended and that’s about it. They all are probably very embarrassed as to this being all over the news. They are stupid kids who did stupid things. I am sure you, Deb, have done things that were not so smart when you were a kid as well.

Unfortunately, WCCO didn’t report the story right. They were messing around with their friend. THEY WERE NOT PLAYING THE CHOKING GAME. I GO TO THE SCHOOL, I WAS THERE. it was just some friends messing around. they’re boys, they’re rough. You don’t know the facts.

So, you were ACTUALLY THERE?? Did you give a statement to the POLICE?? Did you tell them the truth?? Are you doing the honorable thing, defending those who are not able to defend themselves, amongst a bunch of thugs?

Jake,
Were YOU there? Do you know these kids? WCCO made it seem like their primary concern was missing the upcoming hockey season (which would imply they are a bunch of jocks who deserve jail time for bullying a kid), but in reality, what everyone at Armstrong is scared of is these kids living the rest of their lives with a criminal record. NONE of them deserve the same treatment as a rapist, or a robber, because seriously all they were doing was horsing around WITH A FRIEND (like hockey players do). Obviously the whole situation got way out of hand when the kid wouldn’t tap out and eventually passed out, and the gravity of that scenario does require some punishment for the people who caused it, BUT, a week suspension from school at the most. They are great kids with great potential who could possibly have their lives ruined because of one unfortunate event.

umm jake… Even the kid who passed out doesn’t want anything to happen to the kids.. His parents called the school and said they didn’t want to press charges. HE set his facebook status last night as “oh yeah WCCO i was playing the chocking game? right…” EVEN HE KNOWS THEY WERE PLAYING AROUND. and yeah, i know a bunch of people who did give statements, however the police didn’t even listen to them because EVERY ONE of them defended the 3 boys.

i was actually there. i was not allowed to talk to the police. i was not allowed to voice my opinion. the parents weren’t allowed to see the video. the students weren’t allowed to see the video the school is hiding it from us. we will take it to court and they’ll have to show the video and you will feel dumb when you’re wrong.

I think there should be serious consequences due to the outcome of this incident. I do not agree with attempted murder charges. However, whatever was going on, the boys have to realize that things got out of control and one of them could have easily been killed.

I absolutely agree.These 3 boys are lucky they’re not dealing with murder charges. I find it very outrageous and sad that anyone would defend these 3 young men. How would those parents feel if it had been their child choked? Its time our society learns CONSEQUENCES…..I think the sxhool and parents seem to be more concerned about hockey than the safety of the student who was choked. The three that committed this actnare Seniors….scarey….Is this what the next generation has come to???? And SHAME on the parents who defend them!!! You should know better.

Not true at all. The boy who passed out was one of them at the rally. You don’t know these boys, I do. They are good kids. The school sought the punishment so they are not concerned about hockey. The parents are upset about a weekend in jail and a possible record, not hockey.

It is frustrating to read these extreme statements from people who really don’t know the situation. Wouldn’t you defend your child if they were wrongly accused of a crime when it was an accident?

So I guess you saw the incident or the video and heard testimony from the alleged victim or his parents. I can’t believe the ignorance of some of you people. Do you believe in the Starship Enterprise too? That was on TV!

KP how do you ACCIDENTALLY choke someone to the point of passing out?
I guess if the parents are upset maybe they should have taught their children to keeo their hands to themselves, friend or not it is not acceptable behavior and they should just feel lucky that they did not ACCIDENTALLY kill him.

It’s called a choke hold. A wrestling move. When rowdy teenage boys emulate wrestlers accidents can happen. Why are you so quick to paint this as criminal? Why believe the words of someone who doesn’t know the situation over so many of the posters (me included) who know these boys?

I bet you never accidently hurt anyone in your life. Aren’t you lucky?

So what did the parent of the child, who was allegedly choked, have to say about the incident? . . . . . Just like I thought. Opinions developed based on news stories, that admittedly were produced without comment from district officials or based on comments from the accused or their parents, are irresponsible at best. I think you should take your seat, quit talking and pay attention to the lesson.

Let’s see – you have 5 minutes between class and you are in one of the busiest hallways – if not the busiest in the school – so you decide to play a choking game for all the students to witness and for the security cameras to record. 3 boys plotted this crime carefully and determined that moment and place to be the most opportune. Once again, WCCO, you got some of the facts and made up a story, during which, you say you were not able to get school district officials to comment, nor did you talk to any of the boys involved or their parents. Instead you put videos on TV that depicted the game being played. In so doing you implied that the kids in the videos were the kids charged with playing the game and the crime. And who are these kids really? A students, sports stars, with no record of anything ever, with a mountain of school pride and desire to achieve and make the school proud. Get your story straight will ya. If you couldn’t talk to district officials and you didn’t talk to the parents or the kids involved, where did you get the story?.

YOU ARE TALKING TO STUDENTS WHO LOST SOMEONE DUE TO THE CHOKING GAME LAST YEAR! we know what happens. i agree with you it is scary and awful. TOO BAD THEY WEREN’T PLAYING A GAME! the kids started wrestling and thats that. have you ever wrestled? yes? then by your statement the police should throw you in jail too.

They don’t “get off” you sick-o. They were trying to get a high without using drugs. Stupid idea, yes. This type of behavior has been growing for years and years. They are young and made a dumb decision to do this. Calling them names is so uncalled for.

@ jake
if you really knew the story and every thing in it, you would be offended by the out come, when the person who was getting choked says this is to far its to far. where do you learn your “fact’s” from? your 16 year old kid that doesn’t know what’s going on? and on another rant how is is white trash and ghetto city trash? have you been there? within the last three years? i think not. so go back to the hole you climed out off.

Obviously Jake is in lala land and THINKS this choking game happened, and it didn’t. Jake should clearly be quiet because he doesn’t go to Armstrong and doesn’t know the TRUTH of the entire story. Lay off Jake and don’t have an opinion when you don’t have your facts straight.

The information wasn’t correct. no one is saying it never happened don’t know where you got that from. shows how terribly misinformed you are on the topic.And the story was aired on wcco because of students and parents of amrstrong wanting people to know about the situation.

JAKE. GET A LIFE. You are clearly not informed on the subject and to be honest, NO ONE CARES THAT YOU WERE A PARATROOPER. SERIOUSLY. Are you trying to scare a bunch of high school kids? That’s incredibly mature. If you have a valid, evidence-suported opinion on the topic, then by all means, let us know, but until then, we WON’T be holding our breaths either.

The information from WCCO has been twisted beyond means. The three boys were all friends there was no evil intent what-so-ever. The chocking game is taken seriously at Armstrong and by the students since there was a death among them last spring. This death was caused by the chocking game. This story is completely different, the boys were being boys, messing around and it led to an accident. That is all it was, AN ACCIDENT. The 3 boys who are being punished are good kids, and do not deserve the outrageous punishment that they are being put through. I am a former Armstrong student, I have walked the halls and there is many worse things happening. This situation is being blown out of proportion.

Dear Jake,
Didn’t teachers beat their kids back in the 70’s? And remember the wonderful world of LEAD BASED PAINT that has killed more kids than any of this choking business? And ive heard worse stories from parents who were former COOPER HIGH SCHOOL graduating year of 77 (my dear old dad) who was “hazed” as a freshman to where he was put in the hospital do to a broken leg from being thrown off the bleachers and that was just writen off as “boys will be boys”

Your insult is not warranted. I was commenting on another comment, and mine was placed out of order.

I was responding to someone who said their dad was bullied at that school in 77 and tossed off the football bleachers in a hazing incident, and my comment was to say that these are different situations.

Back off, first of all. Second this was NOT a chocking incident thats why everyone is so upset about what WCCO has said. As I said before the students at Armstrong know the serious consequences that can happen from playing this so called game which is why they wouldn’t mess around with it. Especially these 4 boys (including the “victim”)

You obviously have some issues for another time and another topic. You are just mad at the world for some reason unknown. As for troops in Africa we have had them there for sometime. Naval Mobile Construction Battalions have been there conducting humanitarian work for villages (building schools, running water, etc..) All I would appreciate is if you have any respect left, stop being a bully in this thread. We all get your point, you think these boys deserve punishment. You need to stop bullying others in this thread. I admit that comment was to get a rise out of you. I just think if you learned anything from the military it should be integrity and respect, use it.

My kid goes to Cooper. It’s a great school. Maybe you should visit and see all the great things happening. My son is in IB, he’s a good kid, he plays football, he’s polite, he listens to and respects authority. All the football players are very polite, hard working, nice young men. In fact, I work across the street and have NEVER had any problems with kids at Cooper. You need to grow up.

We did this to ourselves and each other in 7th grade for a week straight. My father said they did it too as kids. Yes, it’s dangerous, but hardly a crime. Just a stupid thing that each generation does for a couple of days until their teacher tells them it kills brain cells.

Well, NOBODY EVER choked me in school, in ANY GRADE, at any LEVEL. In fact, if someone chokes their spouse NOW, even in fun, if the cops are called, and there is ANY physical evidence, SOMEBODY goes to JAIL, period. Domestic violence. You lose your gun rights. You might lose your right to vote. Count yourself out of many good job opportunities, even if it is just a rumor. So play this stupid ‘game’ at your own risk, and don’t be surprised if the hammer comes down upon you in an unfavorable manner. Of course, all of you teens know SO MUCH MORE THAN I DO about careers, LIFE, criminal background investigations, so, JUST KEEP KEEPIN’ IT REAL, ok?

Jake you’re an idiot and need to stop while you are ahead. You know nothing of the situation and nothing about life. I am not a teen and have done more in my life than you will ever achieve, I can guarantee that.

In what you have done in this life, that gives you power to be so self righteous? I have not accomplished anything in terms of dollars. No comment was posted regarding money. I am insulted by your banter toward the individuals of this thread. You have a right to voice your opinion on the situation but you have become a bully within this thread. I will meet anywhere, anywhere, and any place, shall we make it near the 133rd Airlift Wing? Or over a cold one talking from one service member to another?

Did you get picked on in high school or something by someone who played a sport? Hockey maybe? Because you sure are mad for no odd reason besides your wrong, and you know you are wrong, but yet you keep defending yourself because of what ever drug your on.

Everyone here is absolutely wrong. IT WASN’T A CHOKING GAME. they were UFC fighting and he was placed in a position where he passed out. The news got it wrong! I’m from that school. NOBODY AT SCHOOL PLAYS THE DUMB CHOKING GAME. So they shouldn’t get kicked off the team for something the news made up. thank youu.

IT WAS NOT A CHOKING GAME. WCCO WAS MISINFORMED. THEY WERE FOOLING AROUND AND WRESTLING. THIS WAS NOT A WAY TO GET “HIGH”. IF THEY WANTED TO DO THAT THEY WOULD HAVE JUST SMOKED WEED. I PROMISE EVERYBODY IT WASN’T THAT.

@Jake
You simply don’t understand. It is not that complicated. YOU’RE FACTS, ARE WRONG. And so is WCCO. You are seriously going to believe one news cast..? And not even ask if that is what happened? Listen to these student comments, we’re fighting for our classmates for a REASON. Take a quick pause and figure out why that is. Quit being an ignorant child and learn to gather your facts.

haha.what does a being a paratrooper have to do with this incident, now your defense is getting desperate.The fact that your a grown adult arguing like your in middle school is horrible.i can’t imagine how obnoxious you were in high school. must have some bad memories huh jake?there is a stick way up your butt.

Jake I think you need anger management. The people that are saying it was wrestling (like Robbie in the story above) were there. They go to the school, they know all the kids involved. I’d like to know why you think you are such an expert.

WCCO misinterpreted what they were told. Why do you instantly believe the reporter over the kids who were there? These are good kids. Armstrong has its issues like any high school, but it is full of good and promising students. Their future – college, jobs, etc. shouldn’t be jeopardize because they rough housed too hard. How callous can you be?

So, from what i hear….3 kids we’re choking each other…..and they were seniors in high school…..isn’t that a little immature….and considering a kid died last year from suffocation, I’d say they have all the reason to be cautious.

This is attempted murder and or suicide. Someone is not teaching these kids what they need to survive.The school was justified in the punishment and for the parents to complain instead of meting out discipline themselves is typical for our age.

You are so uninformed it scares me. Rough housing does not qualify as attempted murder (or suicide???), and parents who defend their children when they have been wrongly accused ARE teaching their kids valuable lessons.

What parent wouldn’t stand by their child when an ACCIDENT is called a crime?

False, and even if the boy had asphyxiated and died, those words would not have been used in any investigation. Please learn what you’re talking about. You can’t just throw out terms you don’t understand and try to tell us all what someone should be charged with when you don’t even understand the terms yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow. You’re just a mindless person who believes in one story, and thinks it gives you the right to judge one person or an entire school district. Really? I would consider finding something more interesting and relevant to yourself to focus on. You said you’ve graduated, and yet you’re acting more childish and ignorant then the people attending the school now. As for the incident, I’m not exactly sure what happened, but I’m happy to be in a school with people who are willing to defend their own colleagues.

Sports have nothing to do with this incident; however the parents and WCCO are making it about the “promising year for the Armstrong High School boys hockey team”. I hope parents and the community can see the severity of this and not just sweep it under the rug because they want to see their kids win a State Championship!!!
The fact is that a young adult choked another out. He and the others that were involved should face the music. Unless you are in a controlled MMA setting this is unexceptable behavior. Maybe this experience will change how the students and parents behave in and outside of school.

They were not playing a game. They were not trying to get high. This was horse play that unfortunately turned out bad. They are all great kids, teammates, and students who did not and have not ever tried to hurt anyone. It was an accident. Kids and teenagers goof around like this all the time. They watch UFC on tv and wrestle. 999 out of 1,000 times nothing happens. Unfortunately this time something did. I was there when it happened, and this was in no way shape or form an assault or an attempt to get high. Just an accident.

I believe the district is doing the right thing. This is a serious matter, no matter what they were trying to do. You can’t choke someone. What if you did that in the work world? It wouldn’t be tolerated. They a seniors in high school, it’s time to start thinking about those things.

one of the guys is my cousin. he and a couple of his buddies did a group hug with their friend. there was NO choking game, or any UFC fighting. just a group hug. and the guy who passed out ? his dad isn’t even pressing charges. this whole thing is bull. they should be suspended for a couple of days at the ABSOLUTE MOST. there shouldn’t be any criminal charges whatsoever.
the news really needs to get their story straight before they report on something.

Not to discredit WCCO or anything, but the some of these facts are slanted, and in some places, incorrect.

Firstly, there were over a dozen witnesses to this event, which occurred in the middle of the cafeteria. It was just some guys horsing around. No teenager would ever dare play the “choking game” to get high in the middle of the lunch room. Plus, the three kids were all friends with the “victim” so there was no murderous intent.

Secondly, the outrage amongst the student body isn’t just caused by the extreme punishment. (Which is much more severe than what the school rules count as a first physical offense. A 45-day suspension is given to people who bring firearms to school or assault the school police officer.) One of the students was falsely arrested and suspended. He was not even part of the actual choking, but was hunted down by the school administration nonetheless. This has caused protesting throughout the entire school.

Very true!!! This student never laid one finger on the “victim”. He supposedly picked 3 kids up in the air and choked the victim… Also this has nothing to do with the hockey team. Yes they’re hockey players, and one of them is a captain, but it’s not hockey season. This should not have affected them playing hockey at all. The fact that one of them is a captain shows that they are good kids…

The one that is lacking respect and decency is you Jake. You are way too angry and opinionated on something you aren’t involved in. Your conspiracy theories of a cover-up are ludicrous. Did you ever do anything that went wrong in your life? Kids do.

You say you are a Cooper graduate. An adult. Yet you are more childish than any of the students on this posting.

Shut up and GET A LIFE you idiot. It’s clear you have nothing better to do than involve yourself in something that has nothing to do with you. One day when something like this happens to you i hope no one stands up for you and you feel the pain these families are going through.

It’s true that this kind of behavior is intolerable, but the punishment is too severe. The first physical offense, by the school rules, is a 10-day suspension, yet it suddenly became a 45-day suspension and arrests. In addition to that, one of the three seniors is completely innocent. The school administration no longer follows the own rules and consequences that it administers. They have crossed the boundary that they themselves drew.

@Jake
Wow… So you’re going to sit there and listen to what a couple people on the website wearing suits say. Really? It’s pretty much their job to twist and turn the news how they see fit. I literally feel like I’m arguing with a mindless 8 year old. And you’re probably much older than me. Like I said before. Get your facts straight before you judge an entire school.

Are you really arguing with students right now? If you were a real adult you would drop it like a man. If you really think all of us students are “white trailer trash and inner city trash” then you should come visit our school to be proven wrong. AHS is a great academic facility and the AHS students are not giving you BS.

I will meet you anytime. I am sure with your “extensive” skills you would have no problem meeting up. I am also sure that any paratrooper or military member with any pride would not need to boast on a public forum.

Anyone who doesn’t know the real story should shut up and stop butting into something that has nothing to do with you. I personally know these 3 boys and they were not trying to HARM ANYONE! Boys will be boys! Imagine if these were your kids. I bet you wouldn’t be sitting here rambling on the way you are. These are KIDS! Leave them alone! Instead of agreeing with the media and what you THINK you know why don’t you try and put yourself in their shoes or the parents shoes and STAND UP for what is right instead of indulging in the bull the media is portraying it to be.

Hmm ironic that you say you would slap your kids? Im pretty sure thats illegal and would put you in JAIL. Its apparent SOMEONE is bullied often. We get it. We are sorry people bully you but that pretty much means your being bias so BUTT OUT kiddo.

Okay people. Haven’t you ever heard about not believing everything you hear on television? It doesn’t matter how old anyone is. High School or not. Everyone should be on the same level when it comes to opinions on this one. Yes- choking games are dangerous, and nobody should be playing them. HOWEVER, WCCO was VERY misinformed when they said that the choking game happened in this situation. The boys were roughhousing like boys do. Maybe suspend them for a little while tops, because it did go wrong. BUT IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. It’s not like they went home and celebrated about it later! Plus, the guy who actually passed out IS ON THEIR SIDE. A 45 day suspension, jail time, and possible expulsion is highly uncalled for. ESPECIALLY for Sam, who wasn’t even directly involved. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he shouldn’t have to suffer for that. More students than WCCO even described are outraged at the way the school is handling all of this. That’s VERY obvious by the loud chants, flyers, T-Shirts, and everything else that are sweeping the school. High School students of every group and breed are coming together to fight this. To those of you who were blinded by WCCO’s inaccurate depiction of the situation, you’d be amazed within an hour or so of being at Armstrong. TONS of students are banding together, and informing absolutely EVERYONE about this. Everyone wants to make sure EVERY STUDENT knows the truth. This isn’t some stupid ‘choke to get high’ game that everyone is gossiping about. If it was, we wouldn’t be so outraged at the school and at WCCO. I was completely losing faith in High School for a while, because it seemed like nobody cared about anything except for petty high school things. This has changed everything. I have never been so moved and astounded by a group of students, some of whom hardly know one another. If HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS can put differences aside to stand up for these boys, then our community, our school, and WCCO needs to take note of that, and listen. This kind of community doesn’t build often. If you ignore the student body, get ready. If you can unite the un-unitable, anything is possible. Free the boys.

I go to Armstrong high school.. this story was all told wrong. They are just a group of friends messing around, sure they may have taken it to far. But jail.. really.. come on. The days we protested EVEN the kid that got choked out was along with the movement. That shows you something right there. The three kids that did get suspended deserve the 10 days, but I believe 45 is pushing it. These aren’t the kind of kids that walk around the halls of Armstrong and mess with kids, everyone knows them and knows they didn’t mean to take it that far. There are much worse things that happen at Armstrong that never even get close to the news. This definitely should not be where its at now.

Me thinks sir Jake is employed by the Star Tribune. You see folks, the more he keeps this thread going, the more readers will stay on WCCO.COM, leaving comments in response to sir Jake. Which means more advertising $$ for WCCO. Just saying…

I feel as though I should apologize. For the record, you are probably not a “troll.” The word “troll” is used to describe those on the internet who purposely post things to upset others, in essence pretending to hold one position knowing that it will create an all out verbal flame war. That is how your comments came across. Regardless of what you have posted, thank you for serving our country, and just understand everyone is entitled to their own opinions on the matter.

Sorry to those that care for these individuals, but isn’t this what the Darwin Awards are about (if one of them had died, anyway). If parents aren’t willing to put the time in to do some actual parenting to raise these kids right, stupid people and stupid peers will do it for them.

What is this Jake guy on? How many times has someone, who actually knows the kids involved, told him that they weren’t playing the choking game? They know what is going on, Jake doesn’t have a clue. Just reference the article. The kid got quoted talking about tapping out like in UFC, then out of nowhere the choking game comes into play… Doesn’t make sense. Mis-interpretation happened and Jake is defending it, for what reason? Get a clue.

Last thought to Jake. I figured out why you are on constant attack. Because your getting out smarted by a bunch of high school kids. haha. There it is. You even said yourself that high school graduates didn’t even know as much as you when you were in 8th grade, yet right now as a 50 year old there are all these kids in just one day that know the facts, which you clearly don’t, and are making you look dumb… Wow another high school graduate, from Armstrong and this generation, using their brain to make you look like your in 7th grade again.

So these days we have such a lack of regard for life that we allow our kids to choke other kids that they call their “friends”. I can’t believe that the parents of these kids friends are defending them either. What if the kid getting choked would have died? That would have been MURDER. Let’s call this what it is…and stop making excuses for kids doing horrible things that could cost someone their life. I’m really disgusted with the lack of regard this younger generation has for people. I hope they aren’t taking care of me in the nursing home when I am in it. Oh, and I work in the district….I’m disgusted!

ALL the posters on this thread need to get a grip. The “facts” will be determined by law enforcement and the legal process. Why? Because the school is doing CYA and wants no part of the assault on another student. And, assault is the legal definition for what happened–regardless of whether the intent was this, that, or something else. The student most likely has marks on his neck, and the fact is that he passed out. Assault by legal definition. Whether it was something else, again, will be determined by the legal justice system. The students, posters, and Jake can rant all they want to, but now the process has started and will continue to a conclusion. That the students, parents, or school don’t like the process and don’t agree with it, is irrelevant. It is what is and that is reality.

ALL the posters on this thread need to get a grip. The “facts” will be determined by law enforcement and the legal process. Why? Because the school is doing C Y A and wants no part of the assault on another student. And, assault is the legal definition for what happened–regardless of whether the intent was this, that, or something else. The student most likely has marks on his neck, and the fact is that he passed out. Assault by legal definition. Whether it was something else, again, will be determined by the legal justice system. The students, posters, and Jake can rant all they want to, but now the process has started and will continue to a conclusion. That the students, parents, or school don’t like the process and don’t agree with it, is irrelevant. It is what is and that is reality.

Time for society to rid itself of the boys will be boys excuse and teach them basic respect. Keep your hands to yourself. Thank God this boy survived. The school is correct to punish the boys and they should not have the priviledge of playing hockey. Playing a school sport is not a right. Boys will think twice before they do something so stupid again.

I actually do know what I’m talking about. I have been a high school teacher for 15 years and have seen way more than I care to recount. Boys horse around. I get it. But it doesn’t make it ok for them to horse around to the point of the boy passing out. Can you imagine what would happen if he had died?? Yes Judge, we were just messing around and oops we killed him. While I admit that the punishment does seem a bit much, there are rules that have to be followed in order to keep all of our students safe.

@ Jake, i already dont like you & i dont know you , so you know if they really meant any damage to the kid they would have actually done something that would harm them& as for the “GHETTO &WHITE TRASH, INNER TRASH” thats all BS, i went to cooper & i dont think any of that is true, Have you actually gone into the schools? because you get to know that people and they aren’t what you think, dont judge a book by a cover, and living in minneapolis choking is okay? are you kidding me. i love in north minneapolis and i know for a fact that it isnt okay to choke someone, you would get charged and or jail time, thats basically killing someone. And have you seen the videos from armstrong? No you havent no one has, and until you know for a fact that they werent playin around rethink you your ideas, and fpr the girl you tellin her to get a new boyfriend before he chokes her? ARE YOU KIDDIN ME? i have been in a abusive relationship .. thats not something you mess around with ..

This is hilarious really. Reading these comments really makes me comprehend why kids say adults don’t understand kids and are completely out of touch, because it sure looks that way to me.

I can only imagine all the students who were actually there, who are also commenting here, must think the adults making these comments are the stupidest and most disconnected adults of all time, and I would agree with them. You are.

This is my first comment on this article, so here goes. Granted, the boys may
have been just horsing around. If it was just that, the truth should come out &
the kids need to understand that people can die even from horseplay.

I’m not surprised that this technique for horseplay comes via watching wrestling.
Kids learn a lot of stupid things watching their “heroes” perform. They perhaps
need a brief suspension from school, but that should be the extent of it. Luckily
the boy wasn’t injured in the process.

IF YOU WEREN’T THERE OR PERSONALLY KNOW THESE KIDS, THEN KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELVES. THESE BOYS ABSOLUTELY DID NOT TRY TO HARM THEIR FRIEND… IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. THEY HAVE LEARNED THEIR LESSON. THIS WILL BE WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMIIES FOREVER. THE SCHOOL IS TRYING TO MAKE A PATHETIC EXAMPLE OUT OF THEM AND HUNGRY FOR ATTENTION… JUST LIKE THE NEWS REPORTERS….. DESPERATE FOR A STORY.

There are consequences for doing “stupid” things. Good job for the school for being so tough on them and setting an example. Kudos!!!!! Maybe this will be an example to the rest of the students that just because you commit adult crimes as a juvenile you won’t be treated lightly. YEAH!!!!!

The whole point is a young man could have been seriously hurt or died. I don’t think using an excuse that they were just goofing around makes it okay. These are seniors soon to be adults and should act like it. Decisions and consequences go together.

So these guys were wrestling at school? And put a student into a choke-hold until he passed out?
It’s unfortunate that these kids have criminal records now, but I think the school is acting reasonably here. It’s not safe to have kids wrestling in the hallways and since they are responsible for students while they’re at school, they simply can’t have kids choking each other. Not for any reason, even if it’s among friends. What if that kid had died or suffered brain damage as a result of being choked? The school would have been in a huge amount of trouble.

adults commenting on this are seriously taking time out of their lives to fight with high school students? bravo parents, thatll teach them! I’m so proud of all of you for being so involved in your community. Im also very proud to see you’ve figured out how to use the internet. Oh and to all of the “adults” commenting on this story and explaining that you never rough housed or messed around with your friends when you were young, well thats probably because you didnt have any!

4 white boys messing around in the hallways should be the least of the schools, and the communities worries… have you ever been to armstrong? just sayin’.

This was not bullying or the “choking game”. However, if these students chose to do UFC style moves in their backyard, it is their business. When they do it at school, they are subject to consequences of the district. I know that other students in District 281 have been suspended for 45 days for fighting, which they considered a level 4 “assault” offense. I don’t believe the district is giving these students unjust punishment.

Ok one little piece of information that WCCO left out is that the punishment was originally 10 DAYS for 2 BOYS… and about 2 days after the incident they decided to suspend the other boy for supposedly “bear hugging and lifting the other 3 boys off the ground.” tell me how one high school kid could lift about 500 off the ground with a hug..? exactly. impossible. And they ALSO forgot to mention that the police weren’t even getting involved with the kids until 4 days after the incident. The news station made it sound like they were arrested on the spot, when in reality the police showed up and the children’s HOMES and arrested them 4 days after the fact. And they purposely did it on a friday so that the kids would have to spend the whole weekend in jail since the courts are closed.. get you facts straight.

Okay, I go to ARMSTRONG. I actually kind of know these guys that were in this. I honestly think they SHOULD get some kind of punishment, but not to be on the perminet records, my best friend got to take off “bringing weapons to school” off his record, why can’t they? I mean seriously. BS. And for 1 of the guys to not even be apart of what happened, wrong place, wrong time kind of thing, that even makes me more mad. FREE SAMMY T.

To the supossed AHS students who posted on this I’m sorry that for the first time in your life you’re learning things will not always go your way. I too live in the Plymouth community and know the families of the students involved. WCCO did not twist the story or change it for ratings. The reporter can not make up information you did not tell him. And, let’s not forget, LUCKILY this student didn’t get seriously hurt or killed from the dumb stunt. Should they be punished? Yes. To the extent they’re being forced to? Likely not. However, if my child were involved, I would not be standing on a soap box – i would be having a strong talk about what consequences could arise from their actions.

Call it UFC fighting or wrestling, but what the students did was CHOKE another student. It was an accident. But still, at the end of the day, they tried to intentionally put a move on another student that harmed them to the extent the student was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. How is that OK?

I say shame on you all for attacking a station that’s proven throughout decades it does quality work. Just because a story wasn’t spun in your favor does not mean the story wasn’t told as fairly as can be. If this incident doesn’t teach them that actions have consequences, perhaps they’ll learn there are two sides to every story and whining about it won’t make things better.

IF YOU DONT KNOW THE TRUTH OR DID NOT SEE IT HAPPEN PLEASE STOP COMMENTING. We are just trying to inform the community what truely happened because unfortunately this story has been twisted and is inaccurate. First of all this was NOT A CHOKING GAME! That is a very serious matter and WCCO took it to another level. The boy who was put in a chokehold is on the wrestling team so they were just fooling around, not trying to get high. TWO BOYS, not three, accidentaly choked THEIR FRIEND. Yes, they deserve punishment. 45 days suspension? Maybe too far. Jail time? Too far. They were arrested days later in their home, NOT SCHOOL. The part that many of you do not understand is that the third boy charged had nothing to do with the choking. They said that he was “lifting all three of them up in a hug” IMPOSSIBLE. This didn’t happen, we all saw it go down. He WASN’T INVOLVED in choking anybody and he was charged the same as the other two boys who were actually strangling the kid. That is ruining his future, he was simpily in the wrong place at the wrong time. We are not outraged that the boys got punished; we’re outraged at the extremity and also because one of them was falsely accused when we all saw it, and he was NOT strangling anyone. This is unjust and unfair and that is why we are protesting The weekend in jail for all of them was also unnecessary especially because the parents of the boy who got choked didn’t even press charges because they knew it was just a dumb accident and boys being boys.

Just watched the news story and it seems like incomplete reporting, in my opinion. The students that were quoted in the piece did not say that they were playing the “choking game” that has been all over the news as a real problem with kids trying to get high. The one student said that they had seen this move on UFC and were horsing around with their friend when it got out of hand. It sounds like an editor at WCCO made that leap to tie it to the choking game, which seems to be inaccturate. I agree with the poster who said that AHS and District 281 are in “CYA” mode right now, so that’s why they meted out such an extreme punishment and refused to comment (likely on the advice of legal counsel). There should be consequences for those that were involved, but if the parents of the boy who accidentally passed out are willing to forgive and not press charges, I believe that their wishes should be respected. I am with the students in their outrage over the heavy-handed handling of this incident. I do not believe that this accident should be criminalized and ruin these kids’ lives.

It doesn’t matter. They got caught doing something everyone acknowledges is stupid. That it’s dangerous and deadly is pretty much obvious to anyone with functioning brain cells. The principal and school board, anyone involved with the decision ought to stand up, say “The decision stands”, and dare anyone to sue the school over it. Any of these yahoos wouldn’t dare to go to court and swear under oath that this friendly, “harmless little prank” was so innocent that the punishment fits the crime.

I know I won’t change anyone’s mind who already thinks they know what’s going on, but let me have my say anyway, as a relative to one of them. They were NOT being stupid, they were being high school boys. They are big, muscular, hockey playing, high school boys, who don’t always realize their own strength. Tony, can you really say for a FIRST TIME “offense” that a 45 day suspension, JAIL TIME and possible ruin of their future plans is deserving of the ACCIDENT that happened here? If you really believe that, it’s your opinion, but if you don’t know the boys involved and/or you didn’t witness the event, stop acting so superior.

Oh, and “AHS Student,” I may agree with you, but your comments towards Jake aren’t doing anything to raise his his opinion of the maturity of high school students. Best to just ignore him and know that he doesn’t have any idea what he’s talking about.

either way this is a sad situation for ALL involved, while the parents of the 3 kids may believe the school is comming down to hard on their sons, these very same kids need to learn a valueable lesson at the same time. While true they may be taking things a bit to far trying to make a “statement” these kids should have never gone to the extent they did either, and on school property why? where were the teachers? I am glad the boy is ok though and I am sure he as well as the other 3 have learned a very valueable lesson in all of this. I hope the Parents have also learned something throughout all this as well, even the other students within the school district no matter what the grade.